anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

[stangme01]

What duncan could it be compared to? What are the pros and cons in your opinion of this pup? And what have you used that you like better, or prefer the air zone to?

Thanks

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

I have an AZ in the bridge of my OLP MM1 (EBMM Axis copy). I think it sounds great. I would be interested in this too.

 

[stangme01]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

lol i meant to post this at harmony central woops!

 

[jmcorey]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

Some say similar to a CC, but with more defined bass.

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=93585

 

[stangme01]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

uh oh, CC, from what i've heard, is not my type of pickup, since i play alot of high gain rock

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

The only similarity the AZ has with the CC is that they're both warm sounding. The AZ has WAYYYY more bottom. This is the only bridge humbucker I've ever heard get muddy under cerain conditions. It has a lot of chunk and a weird (to me), boosted mid range. Oddly enough, artificial harmonics are harder to get with this than with say, a Super Distortion or C5. It's a very unique pickup that doesn't really compare to anythiing I've tried from Duncan.

 

[Loserchief]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

as Benjy said it's a unique pup that doesn't really compare to any Duncan i've tried so far.
I had one in the bridge of my Jackson DXMG for a short time, but it was way to bassy and muddy for my playing style(technical death and prog metal). I changed it for a Dimarzio Evolution and that pup rocked in the DXMG

 

[ErikH]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

I have both an AZ and a CC and had used both of them in the same guitar. From that comparison, to me they sound like cousins. They both have the fat mids and smooth highs but the AZ has tighter lows and more of them (which I don't find to be too much or muddy either). They both cut through in a band setting great, they both split well, and they both sound incredible in Strats. The AZ is my favorite DiMarzio.

I'm not sure why Benji says artificial harmonics are harder to get from it than the other two. I have no problem getting any at all. Actually, I find the C5 to be less responsive to them than the AZ, and I just swapped the AZ in to another Strat that had a C5.

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

I had an AZ in my Basswood RG and was very nice. Very crunchy tone but way too fat for me.
Although a great hard rock pickup.

 

[stangme01]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

fat is good i love fat

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

I have both an AZ and a CC and had used both of them in the same guitar. From that comparison, to me they sound like cousins. They both have the fat mids and smooth highs but the AZ has tighter lows and more of them (which I don't find to be too much or muddy either). They both cut through in a band setting great, they both split well, and they both sound incredible in Strats. The AZ is my favorite DiMarzio.

I'm not sure why Benji says artificial harmonics are harder to get from it than the other two. I have no problem getting any at all. Actually, I find the C5 to be less responsive to them than the AZ, and I just swapped the AZ in to another Strat that had a C5.

I agree.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

I have both an AZ and a CC and had used both of them in the same guitar. From that comparison, to me they sound like cousins. They both have the fat mids and smooth highs but the AZ has tighter lows and more of them (which I don't find to be too much or muddy either). They both cut through in a band setting great, they both split well, and they both sound incredible in Strats. The AZ is my favorite DiMarzio.

I'm not sure why Benji says artificial harmonics are harder to get from it than the other two. I have no problem getting any at all. Actually, I find the C5 to be less responsive to them than the AZ, and I just swapped the AZ in to another Strat that had a C5.

I tried all three (and a lot more ) pickups in my '81 Hamer Special. It's a double cut mahogany LP Jr body style with a sustain block bridge and a thin flame maple cap.

To me, the overdriven rythm tones were a bit TOO bassy to retain definition in this guitar. The lead tones on the high strings in the upper registers were cool (very thick & singing), but I felt that I had to fight the guitar more when trying to do pinch harmonics on the bass strings. I don't know why that was, but this particular guitar just seems to be easier to play with the C5, Screamin Demon, or Super Distortion.

 

[JeffB]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

Difference in scale lengths...lots more harmonics in a long scale guitar, and easier to get pinches. Thats the one thing that I find lacking in the AZ/SuperD/Schenker Customs (all very similar)...in a short scale guitar they are not "pinch friendly".

 

[ErikH]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

I tried all three (and a lot more ) pickups in my '81 Hamer Special. It's a double cut mahogany LP Jr body style with a sustain block bridge and a thin flame maple cap.

To me, the overdriven rythm tones were a bit TOO bassy to retain definition in this guitar. The lead tones on the high strings in the upper registers were cool (very thick & singing), but I felt that I had to fight the guitar more when trying to do pinch harmonics on the bass strings. I don't know why that was, but this particular guitar just seems to be easier to play with the C5, Screamin Demon, or Super Distortion.

Mahogany slab, there's the answer. The Air Zone is not really a mahogany guitar pickup. It's really meant for basswood, alder and even ash. Mahogany is fat by nature so putting the AZ in there only compounded it more. Now, the Super Distortion is a different beast. It's one fat pickup, but it has less lows and mids than the AZ and it has more treble than the AZ. That one was made for mahogany as evidenced by Ace Frehley and Adrian Smith.

 

[JeffB]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

as evidenced by Ace Frehley and Adrian Smith.

And you'll notice neither one of them used alot of pinch harmonics either! Ace a bit more perhaps.

Adrian tended to miss them alot when playing live back in the non-strat days (he's pretty much is faithful to the studio solos, playing live). But when he DOES catch one, they scream...SuperD is a PITA that way :blackeye:

 

[JohnnyGuitarCA]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

Mahogany slab, there's the answer. The Air Zone is not really a mahogany guitar pickup. It's really meant for basswood, alder and even ash. Mahogany is fat by nature so putting the AZ in there only compounded it more. Now, the Super Distortion is a different beast. It's one fat pickup, but it has less lows and mids than the AZ and it has more treble than the AZ. That one was made for mahogany as evidenced by Ace Frehley and Adrian Smith.

Amen, brother.

 

[erikm5150]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

Difference in scale lengths...lots more harmonics in a long scale guitar, and easier to get pinches. Thats the one thing that I find lacking in the AZ/SuperD/Schenker Customs (all very similar)...in a short scale guitar they are not "pinch friendly".

Is this really true about short scale length guitars??
Can others comment on this...

I'm asking coz i've always used 25.5 scale guitars and love my pinch harmonics...
I'm thinking of buying some 24.75 scale guitars, but if this is true... :smack:

About the AZ -- I have it in the bridge if my hardtail ibanez.
It's fat, warm, crunchy, has just enough top end sizzle, has good note definition, and pinch harmonics can scream.
It also has a bit of that ummm "airy" sound.
Awesome pickup!

 

[JWR]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

I used one for about 5 minutes. Not a match for the Frankenstrat I tried it in.

 

[ErikH]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

Is this really true about short scale length guitars??
Can others comment on this...

I'm asking coz i've always used 25.5 scale guitars and love my pinch harmonics...
I'm thinking of buying some 24.75 scale guitars, but if this is true... :smack:

It's more about finding the harmonic nodes. They're a little narrower on a 24.75" scale vs. a 25.5" scale guitar. There's a little adjustment but once you find 'em, no problem. At least for me.

About the AZ -- I have it in the bridge if my hardtail ibanez.
It's fat, warm, crunchy, has just enough top end sizzle, has good note definition, and pinch harmonics can scream.
It also has a bit of that ummm "airy" sound.
Awesome pickup!

I agree. I'm a fan. One of these days I'll get an Air Norton to match it up with.

 

[ErikH]

Re: anyone using dimarzio AIR ZONE bridge?

I used one for about 5 minutes. Not a match for the Frankenstrat I tried it in.

5 minutes??? That's not enough time to evaluate a pickup. There's a height adjustment, pole adjustment, all that jazz. What all did you try before coming to your conclusion?